Lawson optimistic about teams participation in CT

Pakistan cricket team coach Geoff Lawson on Monday said he was hopeful about all teams participation in the next month's Champions Trophy.

Written by Press Trust of India

Read Time: 2 mins

Karachi:

Pakistan cricket team coach Geoff Lawson on Monday said he was hopeful about all teams participation in the next month's Champions Trophy to be held in the strife-torn nation.

Lawson, who completes one year as coach of the national team on August 20, said he was boosted by the statement of Australian umpire Simon Taufel.

"The voices coming from Australia and New Zealand have been positive in the last day or two. I am very pleased that Simon, world's number one umpire who is also an Australian, is very keen to come here," he told reporters.

Lawson also pointed out that it was good to see former Australian skipper Ian Chappell coming out with positive comments and backing Taufel's statement on the organisation of the biennial event in Pakistan.

"From what I see in today's newspapers it is a good sign. And I still say that when teams and players talk about security, they have to look at the big picture not a small one. It is about cricket in Asia and cricket in Pakistan," the former Australian pacer said.

"I have always maintained that Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and I am happy same voices are coming from around the world now," he stated.

Lawson will oversee a series of three trial matches from Tuesday, which would form the basis for selecting the Pakistan squad for future assignments including a planned home series against New Zealand and the Champions Trophy.

"Umar Gul will be playing in the games to prove his fitness and Shoaib Akhtar will also be back. So we will be watching their fitness closely," he said.

The national selectors have invited around 35 players for the three ODI matches to be played under lights.